Case Number 15292: Small Claims Court

CAVEMAN: V.T. HAMLIN AND ALLEY-OOP

The Charge

And now, get reacquainted with the original inhabitants of Jurassic Park.

The Case

If you're a fan of the classic comic strip, you likely don't need
introduction to Alley-Oop. He's the towering troglodyte from the Land of
Moo who carries a big stone hammer yet wields a smart disposition. He's no
Neanderthal, then; he's fast thinking and free spirited, preferring to go up
against rogue dinosaurs in the jungles rather than confront the citizens of Moo.
He rides his own domesticated dinosaur, Dinny, pals around with friend Foozy,
and dotes over girlfriend Uoola. He's mindful of the wants and whims of Moo's
King Guzzle and Queen Umpateedle and will serve his people in occasional rows
with rivals from the neighboring kingdom of Lem.

Alley-Oop was created as a daily comic strip by American cartoonist
V.T. Hamlin in 1932. Initially, Oop and his cohorts would lumber around the
prehistoric land of Moo, generally interacting in clearly suburban situations.
By 1939, feeling Oop was too confined in terms of story potential, Hamlin
introduced a time machine to the strip, giving Oop and others endless
possibilities to explore new worlds and situations. The strip has run in
syndicated publication perpetually since its inception, now managed by Oop
overseers, Carole and Jack Bender.

Caveman: V.T. Hamlin & Alley-Oop is a 53-minute exploration of
all things Oop, providing us insight into the diminutive yet determined Hamlin,
a cartoonist motivated to establish himself in the daily lexicon of American
culture. Alley-Oop served as that ever-present existence in the public
eye and emerged as a fully licensed and franchised property over nearly eight
decades (with most folks citing the Hollywood Argyles' hit tune,
"Alley-Oop," recorded in 1960). The intriguing element of this
documentary isn't so much its titular character but, rather, the revelation of a
very strained relationship between Hamlin and long-time strip collaborator, Dave
Graue (say it like "wow-ee"). Although historically reticent to
discuss personal matters between the two, Graue conceded to documentarian Max
Allan Collins to share some insight into the deteriorated partnership in
on-camera interview segments. Graue maintains highest respect for the mercurial
Hamlin throughout but certainly is left perplexed and saddened by the manner in
which their collaboration fractured. Unfortunately, a cathartic ending never
materialized, Hamlin passing away 1993 with the splintered regard left
unresolved.

On this DVD, Max Allan Collins' award-winning documentary is presented in
its original 1.33:1 full frame format (originally aired on public television in
2005). The image quality is what you would expect of a broadcast feature, this
looking appropriately defined and rendered for television. Audio is presented in
an equally suitable Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono track.

This disc really shines in the area of extras; the team at VCI has unearthed
some finds of certain interest to comics' fans. While the main documentary
features lengthy interview segments with current Oop curators, Carole and Jack
Bender, legendary graphic artist Will Eisner ("The Spirit"), and Dave
Graue (filmed before his untimely death in 2001), the bonus features offer even
more time with the Oop clan. A 43-minute extended interview with Will Eisner
(also his last filmed interview) explores his views of the Oop strip and the
evolution of comics in general. Next up is a 50-minute panel discussion from
2008, presided over by Collins himself and capturing reminiscences and
recollections from producer Mark Lambert along with Carole and Jack Bender. A
short excerpt, "Good Morning Tulsa," provides a 5-minute interview
with the Benders, also. Lastly, there are two commentary tracks to the feature
documentary, one from writer/director Collins and another from the Benders. In
all, it's a very well rounded presentation of Alley-Oop lore.

If classic comic strip history is what you crave most, dig up a copy of this
faithfully produced DVD.